The Connecticut Invention Convention, Inc.
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    • Home
    • Who We Serve
      • Students
      • Parents
      • Educators
      • Community Programs
      • Judges
      • Volunteers
      • Our Sponsors
      • Alumni
    • Events & Programs
      • State Finals
      • Professional Development
      • Next Step Inventors
      • Community Events
      • Awards and Winners 2023
      • Independent Inventors
    • Support Us
      • Become A Sponsor
      • Donate Online
      • Mail A Check
    • About Us
      • Annual Impact
      • Who We Are
      • Our Team
      • Our History
      • Everyday Inventors
      • Contact Us
    • FAQs
The Connecticut Invention Convention, Inc.
  • Home
  • Who We Serve
    • Students
    • Parents
    • Educators
    • Community Programs
    • Judges
    • Volunteers
    • Our Sponsors
    • Alumni
  • Events & Programs
    • State Finals
    • Professional Development
    • Next Step Inventors
    • Community Events
    • Awards and Winners 2023
    • Independent Inventors
  • Support Us
    • Become A Sponsor
    • Donate Online
    • Mail A Check
  • About Us
    • Annual Impact
    • Who We Are
    • Our Team
    • Our History
    • Everyday Inventors
    • Contact Us
  • FAQs

Community Programs

2023-2024 Program Registration is Open!

Community Based program registration is open through December 31st. For questions about participation, please contact Doron Feller (doron@ctinventionconvention.org)

Register Your Program

Partner With Us!

Join The Connecticut Invention Convention in Changing Lives

As an active member of the CT community since 1983, the Connecticut Invention Convention prides itself on building a network of passionate individuals and organizations that wish to inspire and create new educational opportunities for students across the state. By partnering with us, you become a critical part of our mission; to bring innovation and entrepreneurship education to as many students as possible in Connecticut. 


Expand your Reach! Adopting CIC programming into your organization comes with many benefits. By partnering with us, you will receive:


  • A suite of resources and activities that you can use to bring invention education to your program participants. 
  • Professional development opportunities for your program staff and support from CIC.
  • Access to state Semi-Finals and Finals events for your students to present their innovative ideas.
  • Access, through invitation, to the Invention Convention Worldwide Event at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan and the U.S. National Innovator Challenge, where selected inventors compete on a National level.
  • Acceptance into a network of community organizations paving the way to bring invention education to their towns and neighborhoods!

How to Get Involved

A Step-by-Step Overview of CIC 

Select staff and Register


Decide who will be the lead CIC contact person for your program. This person will register for the program and receive regular updates from us. Registration runs from September through December. Depending on how you want to implement CIC, you can involve any other educators, coordinators and staff as needed – many different people can play a role. 


Decide population and schedule for the program


There are many different ways to successfully implement CIC. You can involve as many participants as you like, and can target one or multiple age groups. CIC has successfully been run in many different formats.


CIC is a flexible program that can be run during various times of the year. Keep in mind however that if your program is interested in sending students to our state events, these selected inventors will need to submit their projects to us by mid-March. Participation in state events in not required to run Invention Convention, and there are various means by which your participants can showcase their work.  


Set budget and secure funding


While running an Invention Convention program is generally inexpensive, some funds are required. The average program will spend the following each year:


  • Program Registration - $250 per program site
  • Professional Development – Our standard professional development sessions are included in your registration fee. Customized and program-specific PD is also available and may incur an additional cost. 
  • Awards and incidentals for your program's own convention, if needed.
  • Finals registration fees for any students going to the CIC State Finals Event (program or parent pay options). 
  • Funding for your program staff, if needed
  • Supplies - our activities require basic and inexpensive office supplies. Programs may also want to provide tri-fold display boards for their inventors. 


Plan for Professional Development for Program Staff


  • Staff new to running Invention Convention should plan to attend one of our training sessions (virtual or in-person) to become familiar with the program. 
  • PD sessions are offered during the fall and winter. Site-specific PD is also available on request. 
  • CIC trainings are a great opportunity to meet other educators that are running Invention Convention programs.
  • Please visit our PD page for current training opportunities!


Hold a “Kick-Off Meeting” for your inventors


Get students excited and motivated to participate in the program. This is particularly important if you are running the Invention Convention program outside of a school setting. Keep parents informed and ask for their support. The CIC offers resources to help get your students excited about the program (videos, flyers, success stories).


Plan instruction time


Instruction typically takes 6-12 weeks depending on how often meetings are held. Plan enough time for your inventors to engage in invention skill building activities, plus create their own invention. Students can work on their inventions outside of school time as well. CIC Staff can help you build a program that fits your timeframe and needs. Once you are ready, begin the program!


Hold your own local Invention Convention


At the conclusion of your program, consider hosting your own Invention Convention event. This can be as big or small as you like. You can engage local businesses, civic organizations and other volunteers to come and judge the exhibits using CIC-provided judging materials. Invite families and other classes to come in and view the displays. 


Optional - Select inventors to attend the CIC Semi-Finals Event


The number of inventors who can move on to the CIC State Semi-Finals from your school or program will be communicated to any interested programs in January, once we know how many students overall in the state are participating. Each school or program chooses the inventors they would like to move on to the Semi-Finals, and we provide you with detailed directions for parents to submit their inventor's project online. 


Let's COnnect

Questions? We'd love to chat with you.
get in touch Here

Copyright © 2023 The Connecticut Invention Convention, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 


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